Eunji Chae, Gwangju City Council Member, "Establishing a Rapid Response System for Disasters"

Enactment of the "Gwangju City Integrated Disaster Management Resources Ordinance"

Eunji Chae, Gwangju City Councilor.

On July 19, Eunji Chae, a proportional representative of the Democratic Party and a member of the Gwangju City Council, announced the enactment of the "Gwangju City Integrated Disaster Management Resources Ordinance" to effectively respond to the increasing climate crisis and complex disasters.

This ordinance aims to establish an institutional foundation for the integrated management of disaster management resources?such as equipment, personnel, and supplies?owned by Gwangju City, and to ensure their rapid and efficient deployment in the event of disasters. It was introduced in response to the era of climate crisis, which has seen repeated disasters such as flooding, landslides, and fires.

The main points include: ▲establishing an integrated management system for disaster management goods, assets, and personnel; ▲designating and mobilizing disaster management support companies; ▲operating metropolitan and individual reserve warehouses; and ▲setting up an integrated management center and providing a basis for private consignment.

Chae emphasized, "Disasters cannot be predicted, but our response must be predictable," adding, "Systematically preparing resources that can be used at disaster sites in advance is a new role for local governments in the era of climate crisis."

Notably, this ordinance was proactively proposed prior to the recent heavy rainfall damage in the Gwangju area. It is drawing attention as legislation that accurately addresses real-world disaster issues, such as the lack of timely equipment and the dispersal of administrative responsibility in the face of practical disasters like flooding of homes and vehicles and resident evacuations caused by torrential rain.

Meanwhile, Gwangju City has completed the construction of the Integrated Disaster Management Resources Center (located in Sotae-dong, Dong-gu) and has been operating it through private consignment since last year. To date, the city has secured more than 83,000 stockpiled items, including emergency relief kits, protective equipment, and flood and snow disaster response equipment.